Composition and method for treating an asphalt pavement with a penetrating emulsion

ABSTRACT

A penetrating base oil emulsion and a method of using the penetrating base oil emulsion to fill voids below the surface of an asphalt pavement. The penetrating emulation further being water resistant so as not to be washed off a pavement surface by water after being applied to the pavement. The penetrating base oil emulsion can also rejuvenate the surface of the asphalt.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of International Patent Applicationnumber PCT/US2022/019304 filed Mar. 8, 2022, which claims the right ofpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/158,512 filed onMar. 9, 2021, the entirety of each are hereby incorporated herein byreference herein in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to surface treatmentcompositions that are used to treat and/or maintain asphalt pavements.More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a penetratingbase-containing emulsion composition that penetrates asphalt pavements,settles in voids below the surface of the pavement, and rejuvenates thesurface of the pavement.

BACKGROUND

Surface treatments used for maintenance of asphalt pavements generallyinclude coatings, penetrating or rejuvenating sealants, andaggregate-based seals.

Surface treatment coating compositions only provide a moisture and UVlight barrier on the top surface of asphalt pavements. Penetrating orrejuvenating sealants are typically asphalt-based compositions that areblended with water or cutbacks that allow them to soften the surface ofthe pavement to penetrate the surface layer only slightly, whichincreases the pavement's flexibility to mitigate the impact ofenvironmental aging.

None of the pavement maintenance options available to date provide userswith viable alternatives to bituminous material-based emulsiontreatments. That is, the vast majority of pavement maintenance emulsionsrequire the use of an asphalt base dispersed in the water phase.Asphalt-based emulsions can result in the formation of a bituminousresidue that reduces texture and, thus, traction at the surface of theroadway. Accordingly, there remains a need to develop non-asphalt basedemulsions and/or emulsions with reduced asphalt content for thetreatment and maintenance of asphalt pavement.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various features, characteristics and embodiments whichwill become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, the presentdisclosure provides a penetrating base oil emulsion comprising about 25to about 50 wt. % of a base oil content. In certain embodiments, themethod comprises: forming a base oil emulsion having about 45 to 75 wt.% of a base oil, and combining the base oil emulsion with a wettingagent to produce a penetrating emulsion comprising about 25 to about 50wt. % of the base oil.

The present disclosure further provides a method for filling voids inand/or rejuvenating an asphalt pavement. In certain embodiments themethod comprises:

-   -   providing a penetrating base oil emulsion that has about 25 to        50 wt. % of an asphalt; and        -   applying the penetrating emulsion onto an asphalt pavement.

In certain embodiments, the method comprises:

-   -   selecting a penetrating base oil emulsion comprising about 25 to        about 50 wt. % of base oil;        -   identifying an asphalt pavement, said pavement comprising a            surface and voids below the surface;    -   applying the penetrating emulsion onto the surface of the        pavement; and    -   allowing at least a portion of the penetrating emulsion to        penetrate into the voids of the pavement.

In certain embodiments, the base oil emulsion further comprises abituminous (e.g., asphalt) material. In certain embodiments, the baseoil emulsion comprises at least one base oil and at least one asphaltmaterial. In certain embodiments, the base oil and the at least oneasphalt material together comprise about 25 to about 50 wt. % of theemulsion. In certain embodiments, the penetrating emulsion furthercomprises an emulsifier.

In certain embodiments, the method of preparing the penetrating emulsioncomprises: forming a base oil emulsion comprising a base oil and anasphalt material, wherein the base oil and the asphalt material togethercomprise about 45 to about 75 wt. % of the base oil emulsion; andcombining the base oil emulsion with a wetting agent to produce apenetrating emulsion, wherein the base oil and the asphalt materialtogether comprise about 25 to about 50 wt. % of the penetratingemulsion. In certain embodiments, the penetrating emulsion furthercomprises an emulsifier.

The present disclosure also provides an asphalt pavement that has beentreated with the penetrating base oil emulsion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The useful life of an asphalt pavement can be highly dependent upon itsability to be uniformly compacted at the time of construction of thepavement so as to create a dense matrix of asphalt coated aggregatehaving limited interconnected void volumes that resists the infiltrationof water into the pavement structure. During the construction process,handling of the asphalt mixture can cause segregation, which can cause anon-uniform blend of the pavement aggregates, which can lead to coarseareas in the finished pavement with higher interconnected air voids.These coarse areas can comprise a high concentration of interconnectedvoid structures that detrimentally allow water and air to permeate theasphalt pavement. The effect of such water and air intrusion can lead tomore rapid oxidation of the asphalt binder and/or removal of the asphaltcoating on the aggregate caused by water trapped in the pavement. Pooror inadequate compaction can also cause high air voids with highpermeability to air and water. Paving in cool or cold weather can alsolead to higher air void mixtures. Areas with more hand work aroundutilities or structures also lead to higher permeable pavements.

Construction of longitudinal and transverse joints also can producehigher air void pavements in the area around the joint. Higher air andwater permeable pavements can lead to the action of water damaging theasphalt aggregate film which can lead to stripping of the asphalt filmon aggregate leading to early pavement failure. Traffic loads causemechanical action which, in addition to the higher temperatures andwater vapor, are responsible for stripping of the binder from theaggregate.

Pavements in North America typically are designed for an optimum airvoid content of 4% in the laboratory. Most state DOT's only advise 6-7%air void in practice on roads. The result is that the road has more airand water permeability and age more quickly than designed. Once anasphalt pavement is in place, compacted and allowed to cool, the voidstructure is set and little post compaction occurs outside the wheelpath. Agencies have required density specifications that must be met;and if the pavement is below the minimum requirements set by the Agency,pay adjustments will be made to account for loss of pavement life or, inthe worst cases, the pavement may be milled and removed and a newmixture put in its place.

Traditional void filling emulsions that are capable of being dilutedwith water have been used as surface treatment compositions in an effortto reduce the intrusion of air and water into asphalt pavements. Theseemulsions, even when diluted to the point of reducing them to have a lowasphalt content, typically have minimal penetration into the voids of apavement. Accordingly, at best they only result in temporarily sealingthe surface of a pavement, and can even result in loss of vehicletraction from reduced road surface texture. For example, applicationrates of greater than 0.1 gal/yd² are avoided, because they may leavetoo much asphalt on the surface, thus resulting in loss of surfacetexture and reduced pavement friction and its associated safety issues.Higher concentrations of surfactant in the emulsions have been tried inan effort to increase their ability to penetrate into the voids inpavements. Increasing the amount of surfactant usually results inincreasing the emulsion stability while greatly slowing the emulsion'sability to set or cure, thus making it very susceptible to leaching ofuncured asphalt emulsion from the pavement in the case of a rain event.This lack of water resistivity is an environmental concern releasingunbroken emulsion into ditches and streams.

Traditional asphalt-based emulsions are typically made using a colloidmill. The asphalt content of such emulsions must be high enough for theshearing action of the colloid mill to create small, uniform droplets ofasphalt suspended in a water/soap solution. Typically, the asphaltcontent would be between 45 wt. % and 74 wt. %. For such traditionalformulations, using an asphalt content below 45 wt. % at the time ofshearing can create inconsistent particle size. Using an asphalt contenthigher than 74 wt. % creates a risk of inverting the emulsion from anoil in water to a water in oil emulsion. This results in the water/soapphase being suspended in a continuous phase of asphalt.

The present disclosure provides an alternative to traditionalasphalt-based emulsions. In certain embodiments, the emulsions describedherein are substantially free of asphalt content, wherein the oil phasecomprises a base oil such as a vegetable oil (e.g., soybean oil). Incertain embodiments, the base oil emulsion comprises a surface treatmentcomposition that penetrates asphalt pavements and fills interconnectedair voids beneath the surface of asphalt pavements to provide asphaltrejuvenation and, thus, improved resistance to water.

The present disclosure provides for a base oil-based emulsioncomposition referred to as a “penetrating emulsion” that has beendeveloped to penetrate into asphalt pavements, fill voids below thesurface of such pavements, and rejuvenate the pavement structure. Incertain embodiments, the base oil emulsion composition of the presentdisclosure comprises a base oil emulsion that is made by the combineduse a primary emulsifier and a surface tension reducing surfactant. Incertain embodiments, the primary emulsifier is used to produce a baseoil emulsion, and the surface tension reducing surfactant is added toeffect penetration into an asphalt pavement.

In certain embodiments, the base oil emulsion is made by combining awater and a base oil phase to create a homogenous solution. In certainembodiments, this is done by shearing a base oil with a soap solution ofwater and the primary emulsifier, as well as any additional additivesneeded before emulsification (depending on desired application andphysical characteristics). The shearing may be conducted, for example,in a colloidal mill where the components are combined at predeterminedratios to get the final desired composition of the base oil emulsion.

In certain embodiments, the penetrating emulsion of the presentdisclosure can be created using the post-addition of a surface tensionreducing solution or a “wetting agent” (i.e., surface tension reducingsolution (water and surfactant)) to the base oil emulsion. The finaldesired base oil content of the penetrating emulsion can be calculatedto determine how much of the surface tension reducing solution needs tobe added to the base oil emulsion to form the final penetrating emulsionproduct. In certain embodiments, this pre-calculated volume of solutionand emulsion is mixed and can be pumped into an empty mixing tank,tanker truck, or emulsion distributor. In certain embodiments, themixture is then agitated into a homogenous solution before being appliedonto a desired application area.

In certain embodiments, the primary emulsifier may be selected fromemulsifiers that are commonly used to form emulsions. In certainembodiments, the emulsion compositions of the present disclosure arediluted with water only; however, in alternative embodiments theemulsions can be diluted with a weak soap solution made using the sameemulsifier/surfactant as used for the primary emulsifier to providebetter emulsion stability. In certain embodiments, when diluting withthe wetting solution (additional surfactant and water), care should tobe taken to avoid over stabilization of the emulsion which can result inthe emulsion not wanting to revert to a broken state in a timelyfashion. Such over-stabilization could create a situation where theapplication of the diluted emulsion may be susceptible to leaching (poorwater resistivity) for an extended period of time from, for example,further dilution by a rain event.

Primary emulsifiers will be readily appreciated by those of skill in theart. Exemplary primary emulsifiers tested in accordance with the presentdisclosure included tall oil-based carboxylates and alkyl amines.Non-limiting examples of tall oil-based carboxylates include PC-1542(available from Ingevity Corporation), crude tall oil (available fromChampion Paper Company) and Indulin® SA-L (available from IngevityCorporation). Non-limiting examples of alkyl amines include, Indulin®SBT-50 (available from Ingevity Corporation), Redicote® E-7000 (an alkylamine salt, available from AkzoNobel), and Redicote® E-47NPF (availablefrom AkzoNobel).

Suitable surfactants will be readily appreciated by those of skill inthe art. Exemplary surface tension reducing surfactants tested inaccordance with the present disclosure include polymeric surfactants(ethoxylates) and mixed stream surfactants (ethoxysulfates, sulfates,sulfonates and carboxylates). Non-limiting examples of polymericsurfactants include Redicote® E-95 (available from AkzoNobel), TRITON™X-100, TERGITOL™, TRITON™ RW-50 and ECOSURT™ EH-9 (all available fromDow Chemical), and LUTENSOL® XL 80, LUTENSOL® XP 80, and LUTENSOL® XP 90(available from BASF). Non-limiting examples of mixed stream surfactantsinclude BIO SOFT® LD-95 (available from Stepan Company), Dawn 2×(available from Proctor & Gamble), Redicote® E-47 NPF (available fromAkzoNobel), Palmolive 11119 and Palmolive 11118 (available fromColgate-Palmolive Company).

Base oils for use in the embodiments of the present disclosure include,but are not limited to, petroleum-based oils, natural oils, andsynthetic oils. Exemplary petroleum oils include, but are not limitedto, Group I, Group II, and Group III oils. Synthetic oils include thosethat are manmade and do not exist in nature, such as polyalphaloefins(PAOs). Natural oils include, but are not limited to, animal-based oils(e.g., tallow), bio-oils such plant-based oils (e.g., triglycerides,diglycerides, and monoglycerides) and, for example, vegetable oils.Vegetable oils include, but are not limited to, soybean oil, palm oil,palm kernel oil, corn oil, castor oil, peanut oil, safflower oil,linseed oil, rapeseed oil and canola oil. Exemplary vegetable oilsinclude those marketed and sold under the Cargill Anova® line ofproducts, such as Anova® 1815. In certain embodiments, the vegetableoils may be modified, such as through chemical processes likeepoxidation and/or oligomerization.

In certain embodiments, the penetrating emulsion can be made in atwo-step process that includes a primary emulsion. In certainembodiments, the primary emulsion comprises an aqueous solutioncontaining an emulsifier and about 45 wt. % to about 75 wt. % of a baseoil. Subsequently, the primary emulsion may be diluted to any desiredbase oil content using the surface tension reducing surfactant dilutedin water to provide the final penetrating emulsion.

Optionally, in certain embodiments the primary emulsion may furthercomprise an asphalt (bituminous) material. In certain embodiments theprimary emulsion will comprise an aqueous solution wherein the base oiland asphalt material together comprise about 45 to about 75 wt. % of theprimary emulsion. For example, in one embodiment the base oil comprisesabout 25 to about 55 wt. % of the primary emulsion, while the asphaltmaterial comprises about 20 to about 50 wt. % of the primary emulsion.The final base oil/asphalt content of the penetrating emulsion (afterdilution with the wetting agent solution) may range from about 25 toabout 50 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion, such as about 30 to about 45wt. % or about 38 to about 44 wt. %.

Surprisingly—and without being bound to any particular scientifictheory—in certain embodiments it was discovered that the primaryemulsifier functions to stabilize the base oil droplets (as well as theasphalt material if it's included in the base oil emulsion) duringinitial shearing to create an emulsion. Subsequent addition of thesurface tension reducing surfactant creates an enhanced ability for thepenetrating emulsion to penetrate asphalt pavements. With regard to suchembodiments, it was further discovered that the surface tensionreduction not only aids the penetrating capacity, but also enhances theearly water resistance of the emulsion.

Thus, in certain embodiments, Applicant has surprisingly andunexpectedly discovered that addition of the surface tension reducingsurfactant into the primary emulsifier soap at the time of initialemulsification using e.g. a colloid mill does not create the sameproperties as a process that first creates an emulsion with primaryemulsifier with subsequent dilution using the surface tension reducingsurfactant. Reduction of surface tension caused by adding the wettingagent at the time of emulsification was found to create emulsioninstability and, in some cases, to the point an emulsion could not beformed. In addition, direct addition of undiluted surface tensionreducing surfactant to an emulsion was also found to be detrimental tothe stability of the emulsion. In certain embodiments, to achieve thedesired results, it was discovered that the surface tension reducingsurfactant needs to be added to the dilution water that is used todilute the initial base oil emulsion to create the final penetratingemulsion product.

Suitable procedures for producing penetrating emulsions described hereinmay include the following exemplary processes. First, create the base(primary) base oil emulsion using a primary emulsifier. The starting orbase emulsion will have a base oil content of from about 45 wt. % toabout 75 wt. % and a typical base oil emulsion particle sized sheared bymeans of a colloid mill. After formation the resulting primary emulsionshould be allowed to cool and stabilize. Next, water with a surfacetension reducing surfactant (the wetting agent solution) according tothe present disclosure is added to the primary base oil emulsion at atemperature near the emulsion temperature to dilute the emulsion, reducethe base oil content, and form the penetrating emulsion of the presentdisclosure. The final base oil content of the penetrating emulsion mayrange from about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. % depending upon the pavementto be treated and the desired penetrating depth. The amount of surfacetension reducing surfactant is generally in the range of about 0.1 to 3wt. % based on the mass of the total diluted penetrating emulsionsystem. In certain embodiments, other emulsion additives that can beadded, but may not be essential to the penetrating properties of thepresent disclosure include rejuvenators, oil type emulsions, and othersthat do not adversely affect the present disclosure.

The penetrating emulsion of the present disclosure may be applied to anasphalt pavement in a single pass at a heavier application rate ifdeeper penetration is desired. Alternatively, the penetrating emulsioncan be applied in multiple, lower rate applications to limit the depthof penetration and fill more voids in the upper pavement layer.

The depth at which voids in an asphalt pavement can be filled may bealtered by adjusting the base oil content of the diluted startingemulsion and the amount of surface tension reducing surfactant in thefinished emulsion. In certain embodiments, a higher base oil contenttogether with a lower amount of surface tension reducing surfactant willproduce an emulsion with a reduced ability to migrate into deeper voidsin an asphalt pavement. For some applications, this will be a desirableproperty. Examples include pavements in which the voids are in excess of10% of the pavement's volume, such as cold-in-place recycled asphaltpavements. In such cases, the recycled pavement may be in excess ofthree inches thick. In such embodiments, the amount of penetratingemulsion required to fill the voids in such pavement structures would bevery high. For example, penetrating emulsion may be applied to pavementat a rate on the order of approximately 1.7 gal/yd².

By controlling the base oil content of the diluted starting base oilemulsion and the amount of surface tension reducing surfactant in thefinished asphalt, it is possible in certain embodiments to limit thepenetration of the penetrating emulsion to no more than the top inch ofpavement, which would only require an application rate of approximately0.6 gal/yd².

For purposes of the present disclosure, the penetrating capability canbe judged by a combination of two testing protocol: surface texture asmeasured by the sand patch test ASTM E965; and the National Center forAsphalt Technology (NCAT) falling head field permeability test. Thedesired result is to create a significantly reduced falling head fieldpermeability test result while at the same time create minimal effectson the surface texture. This combination is an indication that thepenetrating emulsion has penetrated the asphalt pavement and not justremained at the surface of the pavement.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided to demonstrate featuresand characteristics of the present disclosure. In the Examples andthroughout, percentages are given as weight percentages unless otherwiseindicated or determined from context.

Example 1

In this Example, test sections are placed three-year-old asphalt. Fourtypes of emulsions were made using bases consisting of a bio-based oil,a petroleum-based oil, and a combination of bio-oil/asphalt, acombination of petroleum oil/asphalt and an all-asphalt base.

The test sections were evaluated for texture and permeability twelvedays before application of the penetrating emulsions. The tests wererepeated in the same area of each test section twenty-four days afterapplication. The results are shown in the table below. Each formulationwas initially prepared such that the primary emulsion comprised waterand 60 wt. % of the base (the oil, oil/asphalt, or asphalt), withRedicote® E-7000 included as the primary emulsifier. The primarybase-containing emulsion was then diluted down to reduce the base (theoil, oil/asphalt, or asphalt) down to a final concentration of 38 wt. %using a Redicote® E-95 surface tension reducer diluted in water. Thefinal concentration of E-700 and E-95 in the resulting penetratingemulsion was 1.2 and 0.08 wt. %, respectively, while the base waspresent at a 38 wt. % concentration.

Pre- Post- Application Treatment treatment Texture, Pre- Post-Permeability, rate, Texture, texture, % Treatment Treatment % Basegal/yd2 mm mm change Permeability Permeability change Anova 0.035 0.500.50 0 136 117 14 1815 Naphthenic 0.030 0.55 0.55 0 417 162 61 acidester 50/50 0.11 0.53 0.57 8 627 218 65 Anova 1815 & PG64-22 asphaltPG64-22 0.052 0.55 0.60 9 1026 277 73 asphalt

Laboratory Test to Classify an Emulsion's Penetrating Capability

Compacted asphalt mixture pavements have a void structure that isdetermined by a non-all-inclusive list that includes the type and sizeof aggregates, the design gradation, asphalt content, mix temperatures,compaction, etc. Some traditional emulsions placed on the surface ofcompacted asphalt pavements tend to remain on the surface of thepavements rather than penetrate below the pavement surface. Diluting anemulsion with water to reduce the base content and emulsion viscositymay allow for minor penetration into an asphalt pavement. Placing adiluted base oil emulsion on the surface of an asphalt pavement can becomparable to placing the emulsion on a filter. The smaller the openingsin a filter (comparable to the voids in a pavement), the more difficultit will be for a base oil emulsion to pass through the filter(pavement). Applicant determined that a wire/mesh sieve could be used asa filter to represent and determine an ability of an emulsion topenetrate an asphalt pavement. Emulsions are evaluated during the courseof the present disclosure using a laboratory wire/mesh sieve evaluationtest. Our work with emulsions has determined that a #500 mesh (30micron) sieve is useful to differentiate good from poor penetratingemulsions.

The test to classify the penetrating capacity of the penetratingemulsions of the present disclosure involves diluting the emulsions to atest standard base content of 38 wt. % and then conditioning theemulsions to a temperature of 50° C. Next, a #500 sieve is placed on atared receiver pan and 20 grams of emulsion is poured onto the sieve.After 5 minutes, the mass of emulsion that has passed through the sieveand into the receiver pan is determined. The percent of the emulsionthat passes through the #500 sieve is calculated and used to classifythe penetrating capacity of the emulsion.

The penetrating emulsion of the present disclosure can be used inconjunction with all types of asphalt pavements, including, but notlimited to, new hot mix asphalt pavements, longitudinal joints, aged hotmix asphalt pavements, cold in place recycled pavements, cold centralplant pavements, cold mix asphalt pavements, etc.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference toparticular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoingdescription, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essentialcharacteristics of the present disclosure and various changes andmodifications can be made to adapt the various uses and characteristicswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdescribed above and set forth in the attached claims.

EMBODIMENTS

The following provides an enumerated listing of some of the embodimentsdisclosed herein. It will be understood that this listing isnon-limiting, and that individual features or combinations of features(e.g. 2, 3 or 4 features) as described in the Detailed Description abovecan be incorporated with the below-listed Embodiments to provideadditional disclosed embodiments herein.

-   -   1. A method of preparing a penetrating emulsion, comprising:    -   providing a base oil emulsion having about 45 to about 75 wt. %        of a base oil; and    -   combining the base oil emulsion with a wetting agent solution to        produce a penetrating emulsion.    -   2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the base oil comprises        about 25 to about 50 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion.    -   3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the base oil comprises        about 30 to about 45 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion.    -   4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the base oil comprises        about 38 to about 44 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion.    -   5. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the        base oil emulsion further comprises an asphalt.    -   6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the base oil and asphalt        together comprise about 25 to about 50 wt. % of the penetrating        emulsion.    -   7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the base oil and asphalt        together comprise 30 to about 45 wt. % of the penetrating        emulsion.    -   8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the base oil and asphalt        together comprise about 38 to about 44 wt. % of the penetrating        emulsion.    -   9. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments,        wherein the base oil emulsion comprises water and at least one        primary emulsifier.    -   10. The method of embodiment 9, wherein the primary emulsifier        comprises at least one of a tall oil based carboxylate or an        alkyl amine.    -   11. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments,        wherein the wetting agent solution comprises water and at least        one surfactant.    -   12. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments,        wherein the wetting agent solution comprises at least one of a        polymeric surfactant or a mixed stream surfactant.    -   13. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments,        wherein the wetting agent solution comprises at least one of an        alcohol ethoxylate, an amine ethoxylate, an acetylenic diol        ethoxylate, or a propoxylate.    -   14. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments,        wherein wetting agent solution comprises at least one of an        ethoxysulfate, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a diamine, a fatty acid,        an ether, a hydroxythioether, a siloxane, a fluorosurfactant, a        quaternary salt, a betains, or a carboxylate.    -   15. The method according to any of embodiments 11-14, wherein        the penetrating emulsion comprises about 0.1 to about 3 wt. % of        the surfactant based on the total weight of the penetrating        emulsion.    -   16. The method according to any of embodiments 9-15, wherein the        penetrating emulsion comprises about 0.1 to about 3 wt. % of the        primary emulsifier based on the total weight of the emulsion.    -   17. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments,        wherein the base oil emulsion is prepared by shearing the base        oil with water and an emulsifier.    -   18. The method of embodiment 17, wherein the shearing comprises        colloidal milling.    -   19. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments,        wherein the combining comprises homogenizing the base oil        emulsion with the wetting agent.    -   20. The method according to embodiment 19, wherein the        homogenizing comprises shearing.    -   21. The method according to any of the preceding embodiments,        wherein the combining is conducted in a mixing tank, tanker        truck, or emulsion distributor.    -   22. A method comprising:    -   providing a penetrating emulsion comprising a base oil; and    -   applying the penetrating emulsion onto a surface of an asphalt        pavement.    -   23. The method of embodiment 22, wherein the base oil comprises        about 25 to about 50 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion    -   24. The method of embodiment 22, wherein the base oil comprises        about 30 to about 45 wt. % of the penetrating asphalt emulsion.    -   25. The method of embodiment 22, wherein the base oil comprises        about 38 to about 44 wt. % of the penetrating asphalt emulsion.    -   26. The method of embodiment 22, wherein the penetrating        emulsion further comprises an asphalt.    -   27. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the base oil and        asphalt together comprise about 25 to about 50 wt. % of the        penetrating emulsion    -   28. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the base oil and        asphalt together comprise about 30 to about 45 wt. % of the        penetrating asphalt emulsion.    -   29. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the base oil and        asphalt together comprise about 38 to about 44 wt. % of the        penetrating asphalt emulsion.    -   30. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein        the penetrating emulsion exhibits a penetrating capacity of at        least 80 wt. % within 5 minutes when passing the emulsion        through a #500 mesh sieve at 50° C.    -   31. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein        the penetrating asphalt emulsion exhibits a penetrating capacity        of at least 85 wt. %.    -   32. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein        the penetrating asphalt emulsion exhibits a penetrating capacity        of at least 90 wt. %.    -   33. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein        the penetrating asphalt emulsion exhibits a penetrating capacity        of at least 95 wt. %.    -   34. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein        the penetrating asphalt emulsion exhibits a penetrating capacity        of about 90 to about 99.9 wt. %.    -   35. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the        base oil comprises at least one of a petroleum oil, natural oil,        or synthetic oil.    -   36. The method of any of embodiments 1-35, wherein the base oil        is a petroleum oil selected from at least one of a Group I oil,        a Group II oil, or a Group III oil.    -   37. The method of any of embodiments 1-35, wherein the base oil        is a natural oil comprising a plant-based oil.    -   38. The method of embodiment 37, wherein the plant-based oil        comprises at least one of a triglyceride, diglyceride, or        monoglyceride.    -   39. The method of any of embodiment 37-38, wherein the        plant-based oil is selected from at least one of soybean oil,        palm oil, palm kernel oil, corn oil, or canola oil.    -   40. The method of any of embodiments 37-38, wherein the        plant-based oil comprises a vegetable oil.    -   41. The method of embodiments 37-38, wherein the plant-based oil        comprises soybean oil.    -   42. The method of any of embodiments 1-35, wherein the base oil        comprises a synthetic oil.    -   43. The method of embodiment 42, wherein the base oil comprises        an epoxidized oil.    -   44. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the base oil comprises        an epoxidized vegetable oil.    -   45. An emulsion derived from any of the methods set forth in the        preceding embodiments.    -   46. An emulsion comprising:    -   water;    -   about 25 to about 50 wt. % of a base oil; and    -   at least one emulsifier.    -   47. An emulsion comprising:    -   water;    -   a base oil;    -   an asphalt material; and    -   at least one emulsifier, wherein the base oil and asphalt        material together comprise about 25 to about 50 wt. % of the        emulsion.    -   48. An asphalt pavement treated with an emulsion according to        any one of claims 45-47.

1. A method of preparing a penetrating emulsion, comprising: providing abase oil emulsion having about 45 to about 75 wt. % of a base oil; andcombining the base oil emulsion with a wetting agent solution to producea penetrating emulsion.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the base oilcomprises about 25 to about 50 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the base oil comprises about 30 to about 45wt. % of the penetrating emulsion.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thebase oil comprises about 38 to about 44 wt. % of the penetratingemulsion.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the base oil emulsionfurther comprises an asphalt.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the baseoil and asphalt together comprise about 25 to about 50 wt. % of thepenetrating emulsion.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the base oil andasphalt together comprise 30 to about 45 wt. % of the penetratingemulsion.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the base oil and asphalttogether comprise about 38 to about 44 wt. % of the penetratingemulsion.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base oilemulsion comprises water and at least one primary emulsifier.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the primary emulsifier comprises at least oneof a tall oil based carboxylate or an alkyl amine.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the wetting agent solution comprises waterand at least one surfactant.
 12. The method according to claim 1,wherein the wetting agent solution comprises at least one of a polymericsurfactant or a mixed stream surfactant.
 13. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the wetting agent solution comprises at least one of analcohol ethoxylate, an amine ethoxylate, an acetylenic diol ethoxylate,or a propoxylate.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein wettingagent solution comprises at least one of an ethoxysulfate, a sulfate, asulfonate, a diamine, a fatty acid, an ether, a hydroxythioether, asiloxane, a fluorosurfactant, a quaternary salt, a betains, or acarboxylate.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein thepenetrating emulsion comprises about 0.1 to about 3 wt. % of thesurfactant based on the total weight of the penetrating emulsion. 16.The method according to claim 9, wherein the penetrating emulsioncomprises about 0.1 to about 3 wt. % of the primary emulsifier based onthe total weight of the emulsion.
 17. The method according to claim 1,wherein the base oil emulsion is prepared by shearing the base oil withwater and an emulsifier.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein theshearing comprises colloidal milling.
 19. The method according to claim1, wherein the combining comprises homogenizing the base oil emulsionwith the wetting agent.
 20. The method according to claim 19, whereinthe homogenizing comprises shearing.
 21. The method according to claim1, wherein the combining is conducted in a mixing tank, tanker truck, oremulsion distributor.
 22. A method comprising: providing a penetratingemulsion comprising a base oil; and applying the penetrating emulsiononto a surface of an asphalt pavement.
 23. The method of claim 22,wherein the base oil comprises about 25 to about 50 wt. % of thepenetrating emulsion.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the base oilcomprises about 30 to about 45 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion. 25.The method of claim 22, wherein the base oil comprises about 38 to about44 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion.
 26. The method of claim 22,wherein the penetrating emulsion further comprises an asphalt.
 27. Themethod of claim 26, wherein the base oil and asphalt together compriseabout 25 to about 50 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion.
 28. The methodof claim 26, wherein the base oil and asphalt together comprise about 30to about 45 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion.
 29. The method of claim26, wherein the base oil and asphalt together comprise about 38 to about44 wt. % of the penetrating emulsion.
 30. The method of claim 22,wherein the penetrating emulsion exhibits a penetrating capacity of atleast 80 wt. % within 5 minutes when passing the emulsion through a #500mesh sieve at 50° C.
 31. The method of claim 22, wherein the penetratingasphalt emulsion exhibits a penetrating capacity of at least 85 wt. %.32. The method of claim 22, wherein the penetrating asphalt emulsionexhibits a penetrating capacity of at least 90 wt. %.
 33. The method ofclaim 22, wherein the penetrating asphalt emulsion exhibits apenetrating capacity of at least 95 wt. %.
 34. The method of claim 22,wherein the penetrating asphalt emulsion exhibits a penetrating capacityof about 90 to about 99.9 wt. %.
 35. The method of claim 22, wherein thebase oil comprises at least one of a petroleum oil, natural oil, orsynthetic oil.
 36. The method of claim 1, wherein the base oil is apetroleum oil selected from at least one of a Group I oil, a Group IIoil, or a Group III oil.
 37. The method of claim 1, wherein the base oilis a natural oil comprising a plant-based oil.
 38. The method of claim37, wherein the plant-based oil comprises at least one of atriglyceride, diglyceride, or monoglyceride.
 39. The method of claim 37,wherein the plant-based oil is selected from at least one of soybeanoil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, corn oil, or canola oil.
 40. The methodof claim 37, wherein the plant-based oil comprises a vegetable oil. 41.The method of claim 37, wherein the plant-based oil comprises soybeanoil.
 42. The method of any of claim 1, wherein the base oil comprises asynthetic oil.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the base oilcomprises an epoxidized oil.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein thebase oil comprises an epoxidized vegetable oil.
 45. An emulsion derivedfrom claim
 1. 46. An emulsion comprising: water; about 25 to about 50wt. % of a base oil; and at least one emulsifier.
 47. An emulsioncomprising: water; a base oil; an asphalt material; and at least oneemulsifier, wherein the base oil and asphalt material together compriseabout 25 to about 50 wt. % of the emulsion.
 48. An asphalt pavementtreated with an emulsion according to claim 45.